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Army vet threatens U.S. Capitol shooting spree

Police said a retired Army veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder threatened a violent shooting rampage at the U.S. Capitol building, with plans to target his wife, who works in the building.

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Army vet threatens U.S. Capitol shooting spree

Brian Shane, USA TODAY
Published 2:29 p.m. ET Feb. 5, 2015

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Police said a retired soldier suffering from PTSD threatened a violent shooting rampage at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Michael Bogoslavski, 33, had plans to target his wife. Bogoslavski was arrested Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. The Capitol Dome is covered with scaffolding for a long-term repair project.(Photo: J. Scott Applewhite, AP)

Police said a retired Army veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder threatened a violent shooting rampage at the U.S. Capitol building, with plans to target his wife, who works in the building.

"I'm going to come up there and shoot everyone in my (expletive) way," 33-year-old Michael Bogoslavski said by phone Monday. "I'm going to die suicide by cop. I don't give a (expletive)."

Those telephone comments were overheard by Special Agent Meghan Blasi with the U.S. Capitol Police, while she was in the middle of an interview with Bogoslavski's wife. Federal prosecutors released information about the investigation Thursday.

The wife, a Senate staffer, had called Capitol Police when Bogoslavski — identified by federal prosecutors as an Army veteran — sent threatening text messages to his wife Monday between 9 a.m. and noon.

Blasi states in a criminal complaint that Bogoslavski told her he would come to the Capitol and commit violent acts. The text messages were captured by screen shot and transcribed in the complaint.

"U know what in [sic] gonna come to ur job right now and you can tell me to my face," Bogoslavski wrote, according to the complaint. "I hope you call security maybe your BOYFRIEND [redacted]. I will shoot that (expletive) in the (expletive) FACE." The redacted security guard is a Capitol Police officer, the complaint states.

"You come to my job on some crazy PTSD, I will file for divorce," came the wife's reply. "Your choice."

“Local and federal law enforcement agencies responded to the threat quickly and effectively.”

U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein

"I SWEAR TO WHAT EVER GOD YOU BELIEVE IN," Bogoslavski replied. "Gun in each hand. Probably won't make it all the way up but u will get my last point I will ever make. Someone is going on be greaving [sic] for their family members today. Including my family. I PROMISE YOU THAT. And I have a rifle as well so it's on. U DID THIS WHEN THEY ASK REMEMBER THAT."

When the wife urges him "don't do it," he replies that it's "too late" because he's going to retrieve his rifle and then purchase ammunition.

"IM COMING AND SHOOTING ANYONE IN MY (expletive) WAY," Bogoslavski wrote. "Easy way out you will see all those crazy thoughts I was telling you about. You don't want to be my equal I don't want to feel like this but now I'm in tunnel vision."

Capitol Police alerted local law enforcement, and officers showed up at Bogoslavski's home in Cheverly, Md., on Monday. They took him into custody when they saw him leave his vehicle and approach his home, according to prosecutors. He told police he had sent the text messages while coming home from the gym.

FBI agents searched his home, and found two handguns — a Taurus .40 caliber model 740 and a Springfield Armory .45 — and ammunition. Police hospitalized Bogoslavski under an emergency petition at Prince George's Hospital in Cheverly.

Bogoslavski told police he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, was having issues sleeping, and "was feeling frustrated adjusting to civilian life" after serving in the Army.

Prosecutors said Bogoslavski served for more than nine years in the Army, including two tours in Iraq and a tour in Afghanistan, and retired in March 2013. According to federal court documents filed Thursday, Bogoslavski medically retired at the rank of sergeant as a result of PTSD and "major depression."

Bogoslavski was charged with transmitting in interstate commerce a communication containing a threat to injure another person. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors said.

"Local and federal law enforcement agencies responded to the threat quickly and effectively," said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. "Their efforts in this case may have prevented a tragic outcome."